The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1887-11-09
LETTY'S SURPRISE.


Yes" said Mrs. Lansing Gibson,
rising and shaking out her silken
skirts, with gracious smile, Il am
perfectly satisfied, Miss Whitaker. l
am certain that l would be, after Mrs.
Halsey's recommendation. l am sure
your playing is charming. You will
give Genevieve her first lesson on
Monday, at fourP You will find her
tractable. / hope you will be mutu-
ally pleased with each other"
And Mrs. Gibson went smilingly out
of the music room, leaving her little
girls newly engaged music teacher
rolling up her music and putting on
her gloves.
1t was raining when she pulled on
her rubbers in the hall; the drops were
splashing down on the window. Lefty
bit the end of her music roll in con-
sternation. She had on new dress,
and new dresses were not a common
occurrence with her.
She was wondering whether she
might not wait in corner of the big
hall until the rain slackened, when
somebody came bounding down the
stairs, three steps at time. 1t was a
geniaEfaced young man, in hat and
Overcoat, and with an umbrella.
Lettys fair cheek pinkened. This
was Raymond Gibson, she knew. She
had seen him often enough in the
street, and at church, where Lefty was
sometimes substituted for the organist,
who had habit Of taking rest when
he felt like it.
S he had heard Miss Taylor, to whom
she gave lessons, talk about him to her
bosom friend, detailing his good looks,
the amount of his fathers fortune and
his general perfections, and declaring
that he was by far the most desirable
''catch" in town. And Lefty had come
to have a certain timid consciousness
concerning him, because he always
looked at her so steadily when he met
her, not to say stared. She looked up
at him now in tremulous shyness.
''Oh, I'm SO glad!' cried young Mr.
Gibson breathlessly. Il was afraid
you'd be gone, Miss Whitaker You'll
let me take you home, won't you? It's
raining hard. And you haven't an
umbrella. I've been in the library lis
tening to your playing, and | can't
say how much Eve enjoyed it, Miss
Whitaker. I'm sure Genevieve is aw-
IuIly luchl 10 get YOU
They were going down the front
steps. He had her music roll, and had
offered his arm, and was holding his
umbrella SO far over her that his silk
hat was getting rained on.
"Tve enjoyed your playing in church
so much, Miss Whitaker! he went on
eagerly. Il wish Paterson would stay
away all the time"
''Oh," Lefty protested, with her eyes
on the wet street, I'm a very poor
substitute, Mr.. Gibscnw
Indeed you're notr' said the young
man earnestly. II prefer your inter
expression, everything. Pm always
delighted when Paterson's away. How
muddy its getting Let's cross the
street, Miss Whitaker"
They met Sadie Merritt as they
crossed it. Sadie was in the Gibson
''set," and she gave the little music
teacher and her escort a stare of
amazement.
Lefty felt somewhat frightened as
they walked on; but Mr.. Gibson
seemed to gain enthusiasm.
''Do you like music teaching?" he
said, helping her across puddle. 81
suppose it's Il bore?"
Il do get tired sometimes" Lefty
admitted. ..But / like it. I've nice
class"
''All ages, 1 suppose?" said Mr.. Glib
son.
''Oh yes; from six to twenty. From
| the first lesson in the instruction book
up to Chopin" Lefty rejoined.
You take beginners, thenp"
Yes"
The Wilcox carriage was approach
| ing, and the Wilcoxes were particular
| friends of the Gibsons. Lefty was glad
| the corner of her street was SO near.
Il have always liked music" said
Mr.. Gibson hesitatingly. IL sup
| pose I'm rather old to learn, but could
you take another pupil?"
Another pupil!'' She echoed.
II should like awfully to learn, you
know" said Mr.. Gibson eagerly.
'.And it sha'nt be any trouble to you.
| I'll come to the house, You do take
pupils at the house, don't you?
should like it immensely"
| Lefty was dumb with astonishment.
A music pupil? Mr. Gibson? What
an incredible idea! And yet she was
not displeased at the prospect.
They had reached her modest little
| gate, and she looked up with timor-
| Gus smile.
"Why, certainly. Mr.. Gibson, if you
| wish" she murmured.
Il certainly do wish" he responded
emphatically; and he looked highly
delighted
And when he turned away from the
door, FIVE minutes after, the date and
hour of his first lesson had been ar
| ranged, and he had forced upon hi
| teacher hi, first terms tuition.
Lefty gave her mother a light sketch
| of that first term. at its close. She
had gradually recovered from hel
amazement at the requirement of hel
latest pupil, and had given herself te
his instruction with all her usual inter
est and energy.
4 Hes very bright, really, mamma,
i she declared. ..Of course it seemed
funny to have to teach him the yer,
rudiments. Why, he had to begin witt
the staff, and learn the names of ths
lines and spaces, just as my younges
scholars do. 1t was all l could do Il
keep from laughing, the first lesson
But he learns so easily. He really ha.
good technique and can see he's go
ing to have lots of feeling for music
He's got along really well. / know h,
must practice awfully hard He car
play a little piece with both hands al
ready, and he says he'll play it at tn,
rehearsal Thursday afternoon. told
him he needn't if he didn't want to
You know all my class is going t,
play, and I'm afraid they'll laugh, it.
so funny 10 see him playing it Blu
he says he'd just as leave as not. o
course I'll explain that he hasn't takel
lessons long"
| MIR. Gibson came next day for hi
| lesson; he took two a week. II
played his scales through carefully
and then executed his piece witt
laborous pains, but with great success
Lefty was delighted.
IF you do as well as that at the re
hearsalr' she said, with pretty en-
thusiasm which glued her pupils eye
TO her face. Miss Taylor has offers,
their parlor. you know, and I'm .
glad, because If all the parents ant
friends come there'1l hardly be room
enough here
j Miss TaylorP" Mr.. Gibson repeated
. somewhat blankly, it struck his teach
Ter.